WHEN Miss St Catherine Festival Queen Allison Williams speaks about the importance of being prepared for a potential cancer diagnosis, she does so as a daughter who lost her mother to the disease.

Sharon Williams died on November 14, 2023, from metastatic breast cancer that had spread to her brain. Now, approaching the third anniversary of her death, her daughter is working to ensure that other women and their families have greater access to information, support and opportunities for early detection.

Allison officially launched ‘She Survives’ on October 31 at The Worship Centre on Old Harbour Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine, turning a deeply personal experience into a commitment to help others.

“She Survives was born out of loss, but it is being built on hope, purpose and the belief that we can change the narrative for women across Jamaica. I wanted to create something that would not simply encourage women to become aware of breast and cervical cancer, but inspire them to take action, seek support and prepare for the unexpected,” Allison said.

In its first year, the initiative aims to reach between 50 and 70 women in St Catherine, with longer-term ambitions to extend its work across Jamaica.

Built around three pillars: Prepare, partner and prosper, She Survives focuses on cancer education, early detection advocacy, support networks, and financial preparedness, particularly among younger women.

For Allison, the message is that women need practical help to act on the information they receive, while families must also consider the financial disruption that can accompany a serious diagnosis.

Jamaica Reach to Recovery President Sandra Samuels delivered the keynote address at the recent ‘She Survives’ launch in St Catherine.

“A nation cannot fully rise if its women are falling preventably,” she declared during her launch address.

Among the activities being planned is a health fair, which the Miss St Catherine Festival Queen hopes to stage in January during Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. She is seeking to partner with the Jamaica Cancer Society to offer Pap smears.

A proposed benefit concert is also being targeted for February, with a fund-raising goal of approximately $1 million to support the Jamaica Cancer Society’s effort to acquire a mammography machine.

Allison is looking to hit that target through corporate sponsorship, contributions from the Church and entertainment communities, and ticket sales.

“If we fall short, no problem, but that’s the aim,” she said.

The plans form part of a wider programme of educational engagements in schools, churches, workplaces, and communities, alongside outreach and efforts to mobilise assistance for people facing significant treatment-related challenges.

Although conceived under the Festival Queen competition’s community development mandate, Williams wants the initiative to continue well beyond her reign.

St Catherine Festival Queen 2027 Allison Williams (second left) shares a photo op with (from left) Scotia Insurance representative Nichola Hamilton; La Toya Bryan, regional manager for Scotia Insurance; Dr Chris-Ann Simpson-Harley, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist; and Scotia Insurance representative Venus Walker.

“As Miss St Catherine Festival Queen, I recognised that my platform presented an opportunity to do something meaningful, something that would outlive my reign and positively impact generations of women,” she said.

The launch brought together cancer survivors, young women, health advocates, community leaders, and supporters for discussions connecting women’s health with the practical challenges of navigating a diagnosis.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Chrisan Simpson-Harley addressed breast and cervical cancer awareness and early detection, while Scotiabank Regional Insurance Manager La Toya Bryan discussed critical illness protection and financial planning.

Jamaica Reach to Recovery President Sandra Samuels delivered the keynote address, bringing a focus on advocacy, support and survivorship.

Scotia Insurance collaborated on the launch, with sponsorship from RA Williams Distributors Limited and Best Dressed Chicken. Spanish Town Mayor Norman Scott and representatives of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission were also in attendance.

Performances by Mackie Dance Company and former Digicel Rising Stars finalist Annae complemented the educational programme.

WILLIAMS…’She Survives’ was born out of loss, but it is being built on hope

Amid the discussions and performances, a balloon tribute honouring people who have died from cancer was done — a moment of remembrance with particular meaning for the Allison.

For the Miss St Catherine Festival Queen, keeping her mother’s memory alive now involves building something that could help another family be better prepared to face the disease.

Her long-term goal is to develop She Survives into a sustainable platform, eventually becoming a foundation through which women can access guidance, support networks and resources.

She is inviting businesses, health-care professionals, community organisations, and volunteers to contribute funding, expertise and outreach support.

“I cannot do this alone, nor do I intend to. I am, therefore, extending an open invitation to corporate Jamaica, organisations, health-care professionals, community groups, and individuals to come alongside me as we build She Survives into something truly impactful,” she said.

“I have often said that She Survives is my baby, and I firmly believe that it takes a village to raise a child. In the same way, it will take a village to nurture this initiative, to help it grow and to ensure that it reaches the women who need it most,” she said.